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Back to News Center Housing affordability continues to hamper would-be home buyers, according to a report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). It found the demographic profile of homeownership is shifting, with first-time owners comprising only 24% of the buyers, down from 2023 when that cohort was 32%. In…
Read MoreBack to News Center Housing activity during March perked up with the arrival of spring, according to the latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Listings, sales and prices all outgained the previous month and the same month a year ago. Brokers suggested more favorable conditions await would-be buyers, with…
Read MoreBack to News Center The 2025 legislative session is heating up as the end of the 105-day session approaches. Bills still alive within the Washington Legislature have had to make it through six cutoffs-with two more to go. These final 16 days are largely focused on budget and finances, with…
Read MoreBack to News Center January’s housing activity showed both new listings and closed sales outgained the same month a year ago. Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) data for the month showed new listings jumped 35.1% and closed sales rose 10.8% compared to January 2024. In King County, new listings surged…
Read MoreBack to News Center Regulations accounted for nearly a quarter (23.8%) of the average cost of a new home ($394,300), according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The figures are based on data from 2021, the latest available information. In a more recent study, the 2024 Cost of…
Read MoreBack to News Center King County Executive Dow Constantine has proposed a $1.5 billion levy to renew the county’s parks levy. It contains funding to maintain, enhance and expand parks and trails The measure, which is subject to approval by the King County Council, is likely to be considered by…
Read MoreBack to News Center A comparison of real estate broker commissions shows year-over-year decreases for both buyer agents and seller agents. In a recent blog, internationally known economist Elliot F. Eisenberg, Ph.D., noted it’s “still very early and the housing market is profoundly weak,” but said evidence shows commissions are…
Read MoreBack to News Center Key metrics on housing activity were mixed in November as seasonal slowdowns began, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Its latest report shows systemwide month-over-month declines in new listings, total inventory, pending sales, closed sales and median prices. However, when compared to a year ago, three…
Read MoreBack to News Center When she ran for the position of Seattle city attorney in 2022, Ann Davison framed herself as a “pragmatist” and advocated for restoring law and order to the city’s streets by “increasing prosecution of misdemeanor crimes and clearing out homeless camps.” Since winning election and assuming…
Read MoreBack to News Center Nearly half of all renter households across Washington state pay more than 30% or income on housing costs. Some of these cost-burdened renters pay more than 50%, according to The State of the State’s Housing Report published by the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (WCRER).…
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